Device and method for adding weight to a hockey stick blade

ABSTRACT

Provided here are devices and method for adding weight to a hockey stick blade. The device comprises at least one weight and means for securing the at least one weight to the face of the blade and may further comprise at least one weight holder for holding the weight(s), wherein the at least one weight and/or weight holder fits within the surface area of the blade face to which it is secured. The method comprises securing the device to the blade face of a hockey stick and practicing hockey with the stick to which the device has been secured.

OVERVIEW

The present invention relates to hockey, in all the forms in which it ispracticed, including ice hockey, roller hockey, in-line hockey, fieldhockey and street hockey. Specifically, the present invention pertainsto a device attached to a blade of a hockey stick, which, by addingweight to the hockey stick, permits an individual to improve handlingand control of the hockey stick and shooting and passing the puck orball. In particular, the present device for adding weight to a hockeystick blade is especially useful for training since the heaviness of thedevice may be varied and the device is secured to the face of the blade,which allows a variety of attachment techniques.

Currently, training with weights added to sports equipment is doneduring the practice sessions of several sports, most notably baseballand hockey, to improve accuracy and strength in hurtling a projectile.Specifically for hockey, adding weight in practice typically aims toimprove stick manipulation while handling and passing a puck or ball aswell as shooting accuracy.

Adding weights either to the shaft of the hockey stick or to the bladeis already known. However, adding weights to the shaft as defined inU.S. Pat. No. 6,328,666 issued to Manory or in U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,560issued to Gemmel does not foster with specificity an individual'sdevelopment of that muscle memory which achieves winning communicationbetween the hockey stick and the puck or ball. Such muscle memoryincludes: a learned awareness of the body movement and motion by whichan individual should swing or handle the stick to produce the desiredtrajectory of the puck or ball; and the body knowledge of applying thesufficient force to drive the puck or ball to its destination coupledwith the recognition of how to flick the wrist when transmitting suchforce to propel the puck or ball with accuracy.

Adding weights to the hockey stick blade has been accomplished in U.S.Pat. No. 5,520,386 to Sasko or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,146 to Loschiavo,in which a singular weight is essentially clipped onto the top perimeterof the blade and let hung therefrom. These weighting devices add weightto the hockey stick blade but do not resolve problems and limitationsinherent in their use in the development of effective and winning musclememory. Specifically, an important limitation in using these previousweighting devices, in particular Sasko's, arises from the fact thatthese hang over both faces of the blade and can interfere with thecommunication between the blade and the puck/ball. Use of these devicesdoes not faithfully mimic the conditions of actual play but creates anartificiality in the communication between blade and puck/ball on thefront face of the blade. This means that a player has to accommodate forthat artificiality during practice. Another problem that these previousdevices do not resolve is the need to continually create an adaptive andever changing learning situation during hockey practice in order toimprove different muscle groups and to develop an adaptable musclememory.

To resolve these limitations, a device is needed that neither attachesby a clip nor hangs down over both sides of the blade but which securesto only one blade face entirely within the surface of the blade facewhile adding heaviness. Such a device would not interfere with thecommunication between the blade and the puck/ball on the front face ofthe blade. The present invention provides a device for adding weight toa hockey stick blade and a method for using it, which resolve thelimitations discussed above.

The present invention adds heaviness to the blade of a hockey stick bybeing positioned as well as secured entirely within the surface area ofthe blade. In one embodiment, the present device comprises at least oneweight and a means for securing the weight to one face of the blade. Theat least one weight is of a size and configuration as to fit entirelywithin the surface area of the blade face. In another embodiment, the atleast one weight comprises a metal portion. The at least one weight mayalso comprise a conformable portion for conforming the weight(s) to thecontours of the face of the blade to which the weight(s) is secured. Theat least one weight may comprise a coating adapted to withstand contactwith a puck or ball during the playing of hockey. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the means for securing the at least one weightcomprises adhering tape. In an embodiment in which there are multipleweights, the present device further comprises a joining means forjoining the weights to each other.

In an alternative embodiment, the present device comprises at least oneweight holder that holds at least one weight. In this embodiment, it isthe weight holder that is of a size and configuration as to fit entirelywithin the surface area of the blade to which it is secured. In oneembodiment, the at least one weight holder may comprise a conformableportion for conforming to the contours of the face of the blade to whichit is secured. In a further embodiment, the at least one weight held bythe weight holder may comprise a metal portion and a conformable portionthat envelops the metal portion, the conformable portion allowing theweight(s) to conform to the contours of the face of the blade to whichthe weight holder is secured. In another embodiment, the weight holdercomprises a casing for receiving the at least one weight. The casing mayalso comprise a conformable portion for conforming to the contour of theface of the blade to which the weight holder is secured. In a furtherembodiment, the casing is adapted to receive removable weights. In astill further embodiment, the casing is adapted to receive a pluralityof weights of varying size and heaviness. In another embodiment, thecasing comprises a sheet, film or tape onto which the at least oneweight has been positioned. The sheet, film or tape is folded over ontoitself, thereby enveloping the at least one weight and forming theweight holder. In the weight holder embodiments, the means for securingthe weight holder to the blade may be by adhering tape.

The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (1) securingthe device of the present invention to within the surface area of eitherface of a hockey blade via means for securing; and (2) practicing thegame of hockey using a hockey stick having a blade to which the presentdevice has been so secured. In one method embodiment, the means forsecuring the present device to within the surface area of either face ofthe blade is adhering tape. Either the at least one weight or the atleast one weight holder is positioned to fit within the surface area ofone face of the hockey blade and the weight(s) or weight holder(s) isconformed to articulate with the contours of this face. The adheringtape is wrapped around the at least one weight or weight holder and theopposing face of the blade. Other embodiments of the method may employvarious means for securing the at least one weight or at least oneweight holder to the blade within the surface area of either face of theblade, such as string, glue, mortise and tenon joints, tongue and groovejoints, Velcro, straps, clips, banding, two-sided tape, screws, nailsand other securing means known in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows two perspective views of a typical hockey stick: FIG. 1 ais a perspective view of the back face of the stick; FIG. 1 b of thefront face of the stick.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curvature of the blade of a typicalhockey stick.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device,having at least one weight.

FIG. 4 shows perspective views of the embodiment having at least oneweight with another means for securing.

FIG. 5 shows perspective views of another embodiment of the presentdevice having at least one weight holder.

FIG. 6 shows perspective views of another weight holder embodimenthaving removable weights.

FIG. 7 shows perspective views of another embodiment having multipleweights in which the multiple weights are joined by joining means.

FIG. 8 shows perspective views of another weight holder embodimentwhereby the weight holder device can be made on the fly for hockeypractice as needed.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective, cut-away view of a typical hockey stickblade in which the present device has been embedded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention comprises a device for adding weight to a hockeystick blade and a method for using the device. The present invention maybe used in all forms of the game of hockey, i.e., ice hockey, fieldhockey, roller hockey, in-line hockey, street hockey, etc. Using aweight in the playing of hockey offers the general opportunity toimprove strength, stamina and endurance and the specific opportunity toimprove handling of a puck or ball with the blade.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show views of a typical hockey stick. FIGS. 1 a and b showthe back face view and the front face view, respectively, of hockeystick 10 to which the present invention has not yet been secured. Stick10 comprises shaft 12 and blade 14. Blade 14 has two opposing surfaces,or faces, 16 and 18, each face being edged by perimeter 20. Merely forthe purpose of establishing a convention herein, the front face of theblade, exemplified as face 18, is that blade face which has a concavecurvature; the back face of the blade is exemplified here as face 16. Itis well understood in the art that, based on the handedness of theplayer, the front and back faces of the blade may reverse. When securedto the hockey stick blade, the present device for adding weight to ahockey blade always fits within the surface area of a blade face anddoes not extend beyond the blade face. The securing means secures thepresent device to the blade so that the device always lies more or lessin contact with the back surface of the blade. Thus, the present devicealways allows the player to drive the puck or ball with an unencumberedfront face and adds weight to the hockey blade on the back face. FIG. 2shows contour 22 of blade 14. The contour of a blade refers to thecurvatur—oncave or convex—in blade face 16 and 18 over any portion ofblade 14.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the present invention 30 which comprisesat least one weight 32 of a size and configuration to fit within thesurface area of face 34 (either face) of blade 36 having perimeter 38and which is secured to blade 36 by securing means 39, which isexemplified here as adhering tape. An alternative embodiment shown inFIG. 4 at 40 comprises weight 42 with securing means 49, exemplifiedhere as a snap and strap.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the present device 30, 40 comprises at leastone weight 32, 42 of a size and configuration that fits within thesurface area of face 34, 44 of blade 36, 46 and which is secured toblade 36, 46 by securing means 39, 49. The weight 32, 42 is secured tothe back face of blade 36, 46. The back face may be either of the twofaces 34, 44 of blade 36, 46, the back face being determined by theplayer's handedness and the curvature of blade 36, 46. The surface areaof weight 32, 42 does not extend beyond perimeter 38, 48 nor issuspended nor hangs from perimeter 38, 48. Thus, the surface area of theat least one weight is constrained by the blade perimeter. The weightmay take any three-dimensional shape so long as the shape does notextend the weight's surface area beyond the blade perimeter.

The at least one weight 32, 42 may comprise a metal portion or beentirely of metal. Alternatively, the weight(s) of the present inventionmay be made of wood, vinyl, plastic, sand, rubber, etc. or compriseportions made of these materials. Indeed any solid substance orcombination of solid substances known in the art to produce weights maybe employed.

Moreover, liquid and gaseous substances may be used to produce weightsemployed in the present device. For example, the weight(s) of thepresent invention may comprise at least one wrapper, receptacle, jacket,lining, liner or backing of any conformable material known in the art,such as rubber, plastic, vinyl, cloth, netting, foam, sponge, or thelike into which are enclosed liquid and/or gaseous substances, such asgel, compressed air, etc. In some embodiments, the weight of the presentdevice may comprise a metal portion, which may or not be conformable anda portion made of a conformable liquid and/or gas. In other embodiments,the weight consists only of a conformable metal portion. In still otherembodiments, a metal portion, conformable or not, may be enclosed inliquid and/or gas, which in turn is enclosed in a conformable wrapper,receptacle, jacket, lining, or the like. A weight made of conformablematerials and having conformable portions may be conformed to thecontour of the blade face to which it is secured. Such a weight promotesa more flexible fit with the blade face, especially when the means forsecuring the device to the blade is by adhering tape.

The present invention contemplates that an embodiment of multipleweights (not shown) may include individual weights of varyingsubstances. In FIG. 3, weight 32 may comprise, instead of the singleweight as shown, a multiple weight composed of, for example, a metalweight, wood weight, a weight comprising a vinyl enclosure of a liquidgel, and a plastic weight. In this way, a weight of the present devicemay provide varying heaviness at different locations of the blade face,which promotes tailored practice and the development of a specific andtargeted muscle memory. When a multiple weight is employed, like thesingle weight, it may take any three-dimensional shape so long as itsshape does not extend the multiple weight's surface area beyond theblade perimeter.

The weight(s) may be coated. This is especially useful when theweight(s) comprises a metal portion and when the weight(s) is secured tothe blade by a securing means that exposes the weight to contact withthe puck or ball. The coating may be of any material known in the artthat would foster the weight to withstand extreme temperature changes,exposure to moisture as well as contact with a puck at high speeds, asoccurs during the playing of hockey. Coatings may include but are notlimited to oven-baked enamel, a galvanized coating, a plastic and/orvinyl coating, a powder coating, etc, and may be applied, for example,by spraying or dipping, and cured by applying heat.

In addition, weight coatings may be applied that bear indicia andinformation identifiable by the general public, such as logos of hockeyteams, advertisements, trademarks, and the like. An information-bearingcoating may be particularly useful when the weight is secured to theback side of the blade by securing means that do not obscure theinformation.

Means for securing weights to the blade face include adhering means,magnetic means, tying means, binding means and the like. Such meansinclude all manner of adhering tape, such as plastic, vinyl, cloth,etc.; Velcro; glue, epoxy and other adhesive compounds; magnets; string;two-sided tape, netting; plastic banding; steel banding; snaps; straps;mortise and tenon joints, tongue and groove joints between the weightand the blade; nails, screws, nuts and bolts and all other joininghardware known in the art; and combinations of these means as well asthe means of applying heat to secure the weight to the blade face.

A particularly useful securing means is hockey tape. Hockey playerstypically tape their blade before using it in order to increase theinterplay between puck or ball and blade. The use of hockey tape as asecuring means for the present device profits the hockey player inseveral ways: it ensures convenience and ease of use of the weight inhockey practice inasmuch as no other, special securing means isrequired. Moreover, securing the device to a hockey blade via adheringtape, or other non-permanent means, will not irreversibly alter a hockeystick but allows convertible uses, both to practice with weights and toplay without weights using the same stick.

As discussed above, other securing means besides adhering tape, such ashockey tape, may be used to secure the present device to the hockeyblade. Like hockey tape, many of these permit removal of the device fromthe blade so as to foster practice and play uses of the hockey stick.Other non-permanent means for securing the device to the blade includebut are not limited to magnets; string; Velcro; netting; two-sided tape;plastic, cloth, vinyl, rubber or metal banding; snaps; evaporating glueand/or adhesives, etc. The present invention also contemplates permanentmeans for securing the present device to the hockey blade so that thehockey stick becomes used primarily as a practice stick. More or lesspermanent means for securing the device to the blade include but are notlimited to glue, epoxy and other adhesive compounds, nails, screws,nuts, bolts and other securing hardware.

The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 impart great adaptability both in theconstruction of the device and in its use. Because the individualweights of a multiple weight may be unjoined or dissociated from eachother, one or more individual weights of a multiple weight may besecured by a removable means for securing whereas other of theindividual weights may be secured by a more or less permanent means forsecuring. In such an embodiment, each individual weight may be securedto the blade by its own individual means for securing, which may differfrom the means for securing of any of the other individual weights. Forexample, one individual weight may be secured by adhering tape, while asecond may be secured by snap, while another may be secured by hardware,while a fourth may be secured by Velcro. The ability to removeindividual weights of a multiple weight allows the player to vary themuscles trained and to increase over time the effort required of them.For example, a player may begin practice with one weight positioned atany one of a variety of locations on the face of the blade. By addingindividual weights to different locations, say for example, to the endsof the blade or to its mid-section, the player can develop both variedmuscle memory and increasing strength.

FIG. 5 shows a different embodiment 50 of the present invention foradding heaviness to a hockey blade. This embodiment comprises at leastone weight 52 and means for securing 59 as well as weight holder 51 forreceiving the at least one weight 52. In this embodiment, it is weightholder 51 which is secured to either face 54 of blade 56 by means forsecuring 59 so that the weight holder fits within the face of the bladeto which it is secured.

Weight holder 50 may comprise a single or multiple weight which maypossess any or all variations of the weights described above, includingthe variations of composition, conformability, coatings, means forjoining, length, width, overall configuration, etc. Thus, for example,the at least one weight 52 in FIG. 5 received by weight holder 51 maycomprise a metal portion and/or a conformable portion and/or becomprised of wood, plastic, rubber, vinyl, any useful, solid substancehaving weight. Weight 52 may comprise a conformable portion that encasesthe metal or other-solid-substance portion. Weight 52 may be coated asdescribed above. Weight 52 may be a multiple weight as exemplified inFIG. 5 as 52 a-g. Individual weights 52 a-g may be joined together bymeans for joining as described below.

As shown in FIG. 5, weight holder 51 may comprise casing 53 forreceiving the at least one weight 52. The casing may comprise materialssuch as metal or wood or other materials whose function is to add to theheaviness of the overall device. The casing may be of a light weightmaterial, such as adhering tape, vinyl, rubber, plastic, glue, epoxy,resin, etc. as well as a combination of heavier- and lighter-weightmaterials. The exact material of the casing varies depending on themeans for securing the weight holder to the blade and the overallheaviness of the weights used. Heavier weights may demand a casingmaterial adapted to withstand greater wear-and-tear on the weight holdercaused by strong impact with a puck or ball.

Particularly useful casing material include polyester films such asMylar®, polyethylene films, Latex® and the like. Mylar® (or otherpolyester films or polyethylene films) have special advantages as casingmaterial. This is because, when weights are positioned onto a Mylar®sheet, the sheet may be folded over the weights to create a casing thatneatly and precisely envelopes the weights without excess material.Since Mylar® is a flexible material, the precisely formed casing made ofMylar® can conform to the convex curvature of the back face of thehockey stick blade by pressing the casing to the blade face whileapplying the means for securing. Other advantages of Mylar® besides itsconformability are its light weight, durability, moisture resistance andavailability in different thicknesses.

As shown in FIG. 5, weight 52 is generally not removable from casing 53.Alternatively, FIG. 6 shows that casing 63 of weight holder 61 may holdremovable weight 62, which may be a multiple weight and comprise weights62 a-d.

As exemplified in FIGS. 5 and 6, multiple weights 52 a-g, 62 a-d maypossess any length, width, three-dimensional shape or configuration solong as both weight holder 51,61 as well as the received weight(s) liewithin perimeter 58,68 of blade face 54, 64 to which weight holder 51,61 is secured by means 59, 69. In addition, casing 53, 63 may comprise aconformable portion. For example, casing 53, 63 may comprise at leastone wrapper, receptacle, jacket, lining, liner or backing made ofconformable material, such as rubber, plastic, vinyl, cloth, netting orthe like, adapted to receive a liquid and/or gas, such as gel orcompressed air. In this way, casing 53, 63 may be adapted to conform tothe contour of blade 56, 66 to which weight holder 51,61 is secured.

To be clear, the present invention contemplates that both the weightholder may comprise a conformable portion as well as hold at least oneweight which also comprises a conformable portion. In this way, theweight holder and weight of the present invention may function togetherto both conform to the contours of the blade to which the weight holderis secured.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention 70 in whichindividual weights 70 a-c may be joined together by means for joining 75so as to comprise a multiple weight that acts as an integral unit whensecured to face 74 of blade 76. As shown, means for joining 75 mayinclude hinged joints that interlock individual weights 72 a-c with eachother. Other means for joining include wire; string composed of cloth,nylon, plastic; glue, epoxy and other adhesive compounds known in theart, netting; nails, screws, nuts and bolts, Velcro, male-femaleinterlocking hardware that slide/lock into place as well as all otherjoining hardware known in the art.

Multiple weight 72 in FIG. 7 a functions more or less as a unitaryweight. Each individual weight 72 a-c of weight 72 will likely besecured to 76 blade by the same means for securing 79.

Nonetheless, individual weights 72 a-c may still be removed depending onjoining means 75 and on securing means 79. For example, when joiningmeans 75 are hinges and the means for securing 79 is adhering tape, theplayer can remove hinge pins 77, take away individual weight 72 b andjoin 72 a to 72 c by inserting hinge pin 77 into hinge 75. The result isshown in FIG. 7 b, in which multiple weight 72 comprises 72 a and c. Theuse of joining means that allow the removal or addition of individualweights coupled with the use of nonpermanent securing means, such asadhering tape, gives the present invention great adaptability inconstruction and use.

The present invention may comprise multiple weight holders eachcomprising at least one weight, which are secured to the blade by meansfor securing. In this embodiment, the multiple weight holder may besecured to the blade individually by separate and distinct means forsecuring. For example, one of a plurality of weight holders may besecured by hardware to the blade while another is secured by adheringtape. In such a circumstance, all of the weight holders are secured tothe back face of the blade and all lie within the perimeter of the faceto which they are secured. The use of multiple weight holders providesgreat flexibility to add heaviness to the hockey stick. For example, aplayer may more or less permanently secure a weight holder withremovable weights at a desired location on the blade face. By securingmore weight holders to different locations on the blade face and byadjusting the number of removable weights, a hockey player can tailorthe blade heaviness to improve muscle memory in a very precise manner.

Another embodiment of the present invention allows a hockey player tocreate a present device 80 on the fly. As FIG. 8 shows, weight holder 81may be created by using sheet 83, which may comprise a Mylar® sheet asshown, or adhering tape, particularly hockey tape (not shown). Forexplanatory purposes, length 83 is divided into sections 85 and 87. Aplayer may position at least one weight 82, which may be a multipleweight, onto section 85. The weights may be of different sizes andshapes as shown. By folding section 87 over section 85 so that theweights are encased within sheet 83, a player creates casing 83 thatserves as weight holder 81, which may be secured to blade 86, as shownin FIG. 8. Alternatively, hockey tape may function as the casing as wellas the securing means. Use of Mylar® sheets (or adhering tape) as thecasing and use of adhering tape as securing means 89 allows a player tomake a weight holder of the present invention at the time of practice,as needed. By using individual weights 82 that may be removably joined,a player may remove or add weights at will to make and use weight holder81 tailored for each practice session. A player may also modify weightholder 81 within a practice session as needed. The on-the-fly embodimentcan be made available to hockey players as a practice kit, which maycontain hockey tape, other adhering tape or film such as Mylar®, and acollection of weights of varying size, shape, and heaviness.

The present invention also comprises a method of using the presentdevice to add weight to a hockey blade. The present method comprisessecuring the present device to a blade face via removable ornon-removable means for securing, as discussed above, and practicing thegame of hockey using a hockey stick to which the device has beensecured. The present device includes either at least one weight or atleast one weight holder that fits within the face of a hockey blade.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the present invention also contemplates ahockey stick blade that has been adapted to incorporate at least oneweight. That is, the present invention includes hockey stick blade 96that possesses at least one weight 92 as an integral element. Generally,blade 96 may be manufactured such that at least one weight 92 isreceived inside the blade and which does not extend beyond bladeperimeter 98. FIG. 9 shows blade face 94 a cut away to reveal weight 92lying within blade 96.

In practicing the present method, a player must position the weight orweight holder to fit within the face of the blade to which it will besecured. If the weight or weight holder comprises a conformable portion,the player may conform the weight or weight holder to match the contourof the blade face. As described above, the player may use Mylar® sheets(or any other polyester or polyethylene material) as well as adheringtape, particularly hockey tape, to create a weight holder. When theplayer uses a removable means for securing the weight or weight holderto the blade face, such as snaps, netting, string, adhering tape,Velcro, or the like, the player can create a present device on the fly.Especially fit for creating a present device on the fly is the use ofadhering tape, such as hockey tape, as the securing means.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modificationsand substitutions can be made to the foregoing embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention, which is defined bythe appended claims.

1. A device for adding weight to a hockey stick blade having a first and a second face, each face having a contour, said device comprising at least one weight and a means for securing the at least one weight to either face of the blade, wherein the at least one weight is of a size and configuration as to fit within the surface area of the face to which it is secured, with the proviso that the securing means does not include a hook and loop fastening system or snaps.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one weight further comprises a metal portion.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one weight comprises a conformable portion for conforming to the contour of the face of the blade to which it is secured.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of weights and joining means for joining at least one of the weights to at least another of the weights, wherein the joined weights function as a unitary weight.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises adhering tape.
 6. A device for adding weight to a hockey stick blade having a first and a second face, each face having a contour, said device comprising at least one weight, at least one weight holder for holding at least one weight, and means for securing the at least one weight holder to either face of the blade, wherein the at least one weight holder is of a size and configuration as to fit within the surface area of the face to which it is secured, with the proviso that the securing means does not include a hook and loop fastening system or snaps.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one weight comprises a metal portion.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one weight further comprises a conformable portion that envelopes the metal portion, said conformable portion adapted to conform to the contour of the face to which the weight holder is secured.
 9. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one weight consists of a metal portion, a plastic portion, a rubber portion, a wood portion, a conformable portion or a combination of these, said conformable portion adapted to conform to the contour of the face of the blade to which the weight is secured.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein the weight holder comprises a casing for receiving the at least one weight.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the casing comprises a sheet of flexible material onto which the at least one weight has been positioned, said sheet then being folded over onto itself, thereby enveloping the at least one weight.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the casing consists of metal, wood, adhering tape, vinyl, rubber, plastic, glue, epoxy, resin, polyethylene films, polyester films, or a combination of these.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the casing further comprises a conformable portion for conforming to the contour of the face to which the weight holder is secured.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the casing is adapted to receive at least one removable weight.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the casing is adapted to receive a plurality of weights of varying size and heaviness.
 16. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for securing comprises adhering tape.
 17. The device of claim 11, wherein the sheet of flexible material is adhering tape and the means for securing the casing is also adhering tape.
 18. A method of using a device for adding weight to a hockey stick blade having a first and second face, each face having a contour, said device comprising at least one weight and means for securing the at least one weight to either face of the blade, wherein the at least one weight is of a size and configuration as to fit within the surface area of the face to which it is secured, with the proviso that the securing means does not include a hook and loop fastening system or snaps, said method comprising the steps of: a) securing the weight to either face of the blade using the means for securing; and b) practicing the game of hockey using a hockey stick comprising a blade to which said device has been secured as in step
 1. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the securing means comprises adhering tape and the securing step further comprises the steps of: c) positioning the at least one weight to fit within the surface area of the first face of the blade; d) conforming the at least one weight to articulate with the contour of the first face of the blade; e) wrapping the adhering tape around the second face of the blade and the at least one weight so as to bind the at least one weight to the blade.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein said device further comprises at least one weight holder comprising a casing for receiving the at least one weight; and wherein the at least one weight holder is of a size and configuration as to fit within the surface area of either face of the blade and the securing means comprises adhering tape; the securing step further comprising the steps of: a) positioning the at least one weight to fit within the surface area of the first face of the blade; b) conforming the at least one weight to articulate with the contour of the first face of the blade; c) wrapping the adhering tape around the second face of the blade and the at least one weight so as to bind the at least one weight to the blade. 